Find out what's happening in Tuscaloosawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Indeed, Mike Royer is a titan of news not just during his seven years at WVUA 23 News in Tuscaloosa, but across the state — a face people have come to trust.

Royer confirmed to Patch that he had resigned from WVUA 23 this week and reflected back on not just the innumerable stories before and after his seven years at the Tuscaloosa station, but the legacy he hopes to leave as he turns his focus to other pursuits.

The Newsman

Even the reporter writing this story can remember back to being a knobby-kneed kid sitting cross-legged in the floor and seeing Mike Royer on the TV.

I even mentioned this in an extensive interview about his career — how the newsmen of my youth, like Royer or Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News, helped shape the reporter I would become.

“I have no choice but to be old-fashioned and do solid, honest journalism,” Royer told Patch. “We had one TV channel on the farm — CBS — and we watched Walter Cronkite every night and I never knew what his opinion was. I just hope that I was honest and kind and fair.”

Born in 1952 in Brazil — a town in Clay County, Indiana that Royer says has changed little since his childhood — he wasn’t much for farm life and enrolled at the since-defunct Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga. It was the same seminary school his pastor had attended.

Prior to graduating in 1975 with a degree in history and psychology, Royer made his very first appearance over the airwaves when granted the privilege to round out the regular devotional given by the university president over the college radio station.

“So the first thing I ever did on air was probably the most fervent, short-winded prayer anyone had heard,” he said.

But after graduation, Royer went on to work at the local television station for nearly five years, before getting the opportunity to become the chief meteorologist at what is now WBRC Fox 6 News in Birmingham in 1979.

It was a job that put him into the homes of the largest market in Alabama, but in 1990 he moved on to WVTM 13 in Birmingham. Royer invested 25 years into the Birmingham news market and retired just as his two boys — Jack and Will — were coming of age.

Royer couldn’t stay away from the field, though, and at the invitation of the UA College Of Communication & Information Sciences Dean Mark Nelson, took a job at the university and became a mentor to scores of aspiring journalists. In this role, he was still able to do the news, while becoming an instructor and guru to the bright-eyed students on their way to become the next generation of reporters.

But in taking a retrospective look at his career when asked by Patch about his most impactful story, Royer declined providing names and instead produced feelings — discussing the myriad tales of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. He even made this a regular feature on WVUA 23 News, with a segment titled “Spirit of Alabama.”

“When I do public speaking, I think about the celebrities and a couple of presidents I’ve interviewed, but the ones that stick with me are the every day folks that I did feature stories about,” Royer said. “Some of these folks challenged me, changed me and inspired me, so those are the ones I’ll always keep in mind and in my heart.

“I think it’s because they’re not celebrities,” Royer added. “The world isn’t celebrating them. These are every day, normal people who live and raise a family but along the way understand the difference between success and significance and make a conscious decision to be significant in a way that made other people’s lives be different.”

It’s this distinction between success and significance that has been quite formative for Royer during his decades of delivering the news.

Indeed, Royer had a friend on the verge of dying from cancer poke a finger in his chest and tell him to think about the notion. It was one that sunk in when he asked the late Dr. Jim Collier — less than two weeks before his death — what his prognosis was for his own life.

“He looked me in the eye and said ‘my prognosis is exactly the same as yours’ and I’ve never forgotten that,” he said.

Royer said the stories he values most are the ones that show people of faith, but when asked to reflect on the one story he might have done differently, a familiar theme showed when taking stock of his priorities.

He recalled being at Myrtle Beach covering a hurricane, standing in 90 mph winds and showing emotion on live television that he could easily be taken out by a stop sign or piece of debris instead of being home with his two boys, ages 3 and 1.

“My boys and my wife were on my mind and I’m thinking how smart I was to be out here in this,” he said.

Mike and Amy Royer’s two sons are obvious points of pride, with the younger Will Royer working for the government in Virginia, while the oldest, Jack, has followed in his father’s footsteps.

Indeed, Jack Royer is as well-known as any television journalist in Alabama. After getting his first true anchor gig at WVUA 23, working for a year with his father, he most recently served as the morning anchor for CBS 42 News in Birmingham. While he has since taken an anchor job in Tampa, it’s not hard for him to trace back his influence.

“My Dad taught me a masterclass in local broadcasting before I was old enough to drive,” Jack said. “I got to watch him give students my age and younger the same invaluable guidance I had gotten my entire life … There are countless students who have jobs in journalism thanks to his guidance and mentorship. Reading the letters he would get at the end of each year from graduating seniors made me proud to be his son.”

Even in the group text where his decision to step down was announced, there was an outpouring of support from those Royer helped along the way:

Thank you for all of your help over the years! I don’t know what I would’ve done with you!!!

I wouldn’t be where I am today without you!!! Thank you for everything.

Love you Mike! I’m so thankful for everything you’ve done for me over the years. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.

The sentiments go on and on, but when asked about the legacy he hopes to leave in journalism, Royer insisted on a simple one.

“I hope that I was honest and kind and fair,” he told Patch. “And the best compliment I’ve gotten from Jack is ‘I watch how you treat people’ and I’m flattered by that.”

And this is where his true legacy can be seen, whether Mike Royer admits it or not.

Jack Royer grew up in a newsroom and even in his present job at WFLA in Tampa, works with a UA graduate who was mentored by this father.

“I’m glad to see him stepping away from journalism,” Jack Royer said. “Forty-plus years is a long time. I hope now he can enjoy life without deadlines — and maybe find more time to visit me in Tampa. He’s always encouraged me to be my own broadcaster. But with him as your Dad, it’s hard not to want to be just like him. He’s been a steady role model for me and so many. I’m proud of him beyond words.”

In Their Words

When he didn’t have to be, Mike Royer was an early supporter of this weird experiment we call Tuscaloosa Patch and has been nothing but an encouragement to the author of this story.

So, instead of trying to weave together war stories, here’s what his colleagues had to say about him in their own words.

“Mike will be missed. His professionalism and knowledge set the bar high for the journalistic community.”

– Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox

“I watched and idolized him religiously growing up … That’s when he did weather on WBRC, long before I ever heard of James Spann. Mike was THE weather man.”

– Isaiah Harper, veteran broadcaster and digital media instructor at the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy for the Tuscaloosa City School System.

“I grew up seeing Mike do both the weather and the news on Birmingham TV stations. He came and spoke to my elementary school class about weather in the mid-80s. He’s been a fixture on TV around here for so many people for decades. Mike is a hell of a newsman. He was great at finding and telling a good story.

He took the time to seek out people doing good things to make our community better, and to share those stories. It says a lot about him that he chose to spend the last few years of his career as a mentor for young reporters. I saw firsthand how much WVUA interns learned just from working alongside him. They always come to me prepared and professional. I can’t think of anyone better to teach a new generation how to do the news.”

Stephanie Taylor, Pulitzer Prize winning reporter for the Tuscaloosa News and current spokeswoman for the Tuscaloosa Police Department.

“Mike Royer is a good journalist and good guy. He’s a legend in the Birmingham television market. I’ve known Mike eight years and got to cover many stories together with him in Tuscaloosa. Most recently Mike was a positive light as a manager at WVUA where he helped student-interns learn about journalism and served as a mentor. It’s a pleasure to call Mike my friend.”

Tim Reid, CBS 42 News Reporter

“Mike has really helped me grow as a journalist in the six years I’ve gotten to work with him. From becoming a better writer to being compassionate to the people whose story I’m telling, Mike always took time from what he was doing to teach me. I will carry his advice with me for the rest of my career.”

Andrea Matei, WVUA 23 News producer/reporter

“Mike is a leader by example. Not only is he management but he will roll up he sleeves and do whatever needs done, whether fill in as as anchor or reporter, writing or even grabbing a camera to shoot. But Mike’s caring for the students is where he shines most. He’d come in early or late to go out on shoots with them, just whatever it takes to help them be the best they can. He always makes sure to get to know the student’s families when they visit and will make calls to his news connections all over to help get a student a job. I was blessed to not only have called him a coworker but more importantly a friend. I know it’s a cliché, but he’s hard to beat!”

Keith Dobbins, veteran multimedia journalist for WVUA 23 News and longtime friend of Patch.

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with Mike. He is everything that is right about journalism. I’ll miss him and his constant guidance. I wish him the best in his future!”

— Richard Scott, WVUA chief meteorologist.

“Mike is just a great guy. Awesome to work with. He brought so much experience and credibility to the station, and was willing to share his knowledge with anyone that asked for help. He will be missed.”
Click Here: Paul Pogba Jersey Sale

– Gary Harris, WVUA 23 News Sports Director

“Mike Royer is one of the best people I’ve ever known. Working with him has been a peak highlight of my career. He’s made me a better journalist, but more importantly a better person. I wish him everything good in this life. I’m blessed to call him a mentor and friend.”

– Chelsea Barton, veteran WVUA 23 News reporter.

“I remember being hungover and irritable at some stupid event where they trotted out every big whig in town, including the Sabans and some football players. I don’t even recall the occasion but it was outside and it was hot and I was sweating. I’ll never forget Mike coming up to me, putting an elbow into my ribs, and saying ‘I never cared much for Alabama football.’ I respected him before that, but I’ve loved him ever since.”

– Ryan Phillips, founder and field editor of Tuscaloosa Patch

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you’re interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.